Spike's weekly "I Am So Popular" column that we published belatedly this morning has stirred up quite some controversy, with readers weighing in—so to speak—both for and against Whole Foods Market's recently introduced Team Member Healthy Discount Incentive Program. In the hopes of presenting a fuller perspective, we're inviting readers to submit lengthier responses via email for a future Op-Ed post. Send an email to editor@austinist.com with your 200- to 500-word rebuttal; we'll pick one or two to present on the homepage. more ›

Well, folks, once again, Whole Foods CEO and gazillionaire John “Unions are Like Herpes” Mackey has rolled out some musings on health that he seems to think are brilliant. Not that I’m wishing cancer on the guy or anything, but it is going to be interesting if/when he gets taken down by some physical condition that is beyond his control, a disease that no amount of money can cure. Oh, but wait, he has one. I’m not sure what the Latin term for his disease is, but we little people call it diarrhea of the mouth. You might recall that last August, Mackey wrote a piece in the Wall Street Journal where he opined that the “last thing our country needs is a massive new health-care entitlement.” more ›

"I have held the Chairman title since Whole Foods Market’s beginning in 1978, but the reality is that today it is merely a title with no authority or responsibilities," wrote Mackey, who will retain his CEO role. "The authority and responsibilities normally associated with the Chairman position were all shifted over time to John Elstrott, after he became our Lead Director back in January 2001." more ›

Once, back in New York, my cancer-surviving-and-deep-in-medical-debt friend and I were sitting around, watching a Japanese movie. I don't remember which movie it was, but I do remember that, as the opening credits rolled, the word 'EMOTION' popped onto the screen and some happy little music played. more ›

In a world where people, planet and profits must run paramount for any business to thrive today, this triple bottom line approach has been at the core of the Whole Foods culture for nearly 30 years. And now, CEO John Mackey is sharing his insights and his commitment to the business principles he calls "conscious capitalism" at a benefit for the organization FLOW. more ›

Dame Edna had to cancel her entire North American tour due to complications from appendix surgery. Said the Dame in a letter to her loyal Austin fans, "Texas is no country for sick Megastars, so I will see you in November 7-9, 2008 [at the Paramount], possums." more ›

Whole Foods Market Co-Founder and CEO John Mackey today issued a formal apology statement, after the company's Board of Directors announced that it was launching its own internal investigation into his message board postings. more ›

Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey now faces an informal inquiry by the Securities and Exchange Commission, after a widely-distributed article in last week's Wall Street Journal revealed that he'd been making anonymous postings on internet message boards about his company. Writing as "rahodeb"—an anagram for "Deborah," his wife's name—Mackey left a string of messages and comments dating from 1999 to 2006. Many of the remarks focused on Mackey, Whole Foods, and, more recently, on... more ›

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Over 25 years ago, John Mackey and his partners had a vision to give natural foods their own home. No longer would they be relegated to small sections of stores, they would have their own store. Their dream came to life with the first Whole Foods Market at 10th & Lamar. At the time, it was one of only a half dozen or so natural food markets in the country. Today, after dozens of acquisitions and slow profitable growth, Whole Foods is one of the most successful businesses in America, continually showing up in FORTUNE's Best Places to Work (placing 15th this year). Tonight, on CNBC, Whole Foods gets the Behind the Music treatment, as founder Mackey is profiled on their new show, American Made. more ›

This might be old news by now, but last week PETA announced the winners of their annual Proggy Awards - recognizing animal-friendly achievements in commerce and culture - naming Austin-based Whole Foods their "Company of the Year." more ›